Mumbai’s east-west connectivity is set for a major improvement from Thursday, August 13, with two key infrastructure projects opening to commuters and excavation beginning for the second tunnel between Borivali and Thane.
The projects being opened are the Diamond Garden-Chembur Naka stretch of Metro Line 2B and the extension of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) up to the Western Express Highway. At the same time, the Arjun tunnel boring machine (TBM) will begin excavation for the second of the twin tunnels planned between Borivali and Thane.
Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said the three developments are aimed at improving east-west movement, easing congestion and reducing travel time across some of the city’s busiest corridors.
The first section of Metro Line 2B, between Mandale and Diamond Garden, became operational on April 8. With the extension reaching Chembur metro station, commuters will have easier access to other modes of transport. The monorail station on VN Purav Marg is around 100 metres away, while Chembur railway station is approximately 200 metres from the metro station.
“Proximity of the three systems is expected to create a more seamless interchange between metro, mono and suburban railways. The extension is also expected to improve access to Chembur, the Harbour line and south Mumbai,” an MMRDA official said.
The SCLR extension comprises a 500-metre, four-lane elevated section and two-lane ramps measuring 90 metres at both ends. It will provide a direct connection between Vakola Junction on the Western Express Highway and Bharat Nagar in the Bandra Kurla Complex, helping motorists bypass the congested Kalanagar junction.
Meanwhile, the Arjun TBM will begin tunnelling through the Sanjay Gandhi National Park as part of the Borivali-Thane twin tunnel project. Once completed, the tunnels are expected to reduce travel time between Borivali and Ghodbunder Road in Thane to around 15 minutes, from the current 60 to 90 minutes.
Each tunnel will be 10.25 km long, with excavation being carried out from both the Borivali and Thane sides.
Source: Swarajya
